the_o atheist_n turn_v deist_n and_o the_o deist_n turn_v christian_n or_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o union_n of_o natural_a and_o the_o true_a christian_a religion_n by_o tho._n emes_n chirurgo-medicus_n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1698._o speak_v every_o man_n truth_n with_o his_o neighbour_n for_o we_o be_v member_n of_o one_o another_o eph._n 4.25_o and_o so_o speak_v you_o and_o so_o do_v you_o as_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o law_n of_o liberty_n jam._n 2.12_o errata_fw-la page_n 3._o line_n 10._o for_o certify_v read_v certify_v l._n 20._o for_o liar_n r._n lyar._n p._n 4._o l._n 26._o for_o will_v read_v all_o p._n 6._o l._n last_o for_o unbehold_a r._n unbeholden_a p._n 21._o l._n 20._o for_o then_o r._n than_o p._n 22._o for_o behold_v r._n beholden_a so_o p._n 34._o l._n 34._o p._n 43._o l._n 36._o r._n marriage-constancy_n p._n 45._o l._n 5._o for_o countervail_v r._n countervale_n p._n 84._o l._n 6._o for_o god_n r._n go_n p._n 95._o after_o same_o add_v time_n p._n 118._o l._n 26._o blot_n and_o after_o david_n p._n 181._o l._n 16._o for_o they_o r._n the_o before_o oath_n some_o of_o the_o principal_a head_n of_o this_o discourse_n under_o which_o divers_a other_o thing_n be_v touch_v upon_o numb_a 1._o what_o necessary_a to_o the_o end_n of_o man._n numb_a 2._o three_o way_n whereby_o we_o know_v truth_n numb_a 3._o the_o near_a way_n to_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n numb_a 4._o self_n what_o the_o necessity_n of_o suppose_v a_o divine_a be_v thence_o prove_v numb_a 5._o god_n knowable_a by_o experience_n or_o sense_n numb_a 6._o self_n more_o large_o consider_v and_o say_v to_o be_v cogitation_n or_o mind_n numb_a 7._o objection_n against_o cogitation_n be_v the_o essence_n of_o self_n answer_v numb_a 8._o god_n consider_v more_o large_o and_o as_o in_o himself_o or_o essential_a attribute_n numb_a 9_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o omnipresence_n false_a numb_a 10._o god_n consider_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o creature_n negative_o and_o positive_o numb_a 11._o of_o the_o end_n of_o god_n make_v thing_n numb_a 12._o man_n duty_n or_o religion_n consider_v in_o general_n numb_a 13._o the_o same_o consider_v more_o particular_o in_o love_n to_o god_n numb_a 14._o and_o love_n to_o his_o work_n numb_a 15._o love_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o orderly_a behaviour_n no._n 16._o the_o natural_a reason_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o decalogue_n no._n 17._o the_o goodness_n and_o wellbeing_a of_o the_o creature_n wherein_o it_o consist_v no._n 18._o the_o ground_n of_o vnhappiness_n no._n 19_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o sin_n be_v a_o way_n a_o act_n and_o original_a sin_n as_o supposâ—_n distinct_a from_o actual_a sin_n a_o mistake_n the_o triâ—_n notion_n of_o it_o no._n 20._o the_o fall_n of_o man_n from_o innocence_n naturals_n know_v no._n 21._o the_o aggravation_n or_o greatness_n of_o sin_n disorder_n no._n 22._o how_o the_o creature_n shall_v behave_v itself_o on_o thâ—_n conviction_n of_o sin_n with_o the_o natural_a dutâ—_n of_o repentance_n no._n 23._o forgiveness_n with_o god_n apparent_o discoverabâ—â—_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n no._n 24._o why_o god_n make_v creature_n capable_a of_o sin_n no._n 25._o free_a will_n consider_v no._n 26._o what_o a_o arbitrary_a command_n of_o god_n and_o hoâ—_n reasonable_a no._n 27._o all_o the_o command_v of_o god_n tend_v to_o man_n happiness_n or_o pleasure_n disobedience_n to_o the_o contrary_a neither_o obedience_n nor_o disobedience_n add_v to_o or_o take_v any_o thing_n from_o god_n no._n 28._o that_o the_o creature_n have_v once_o sin_v be_v more_o inclinable_a to_o go_v on_o sin_v than_o to_o repent_v no._n 29._o convict_a sinner_n at_o first_o unapt_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v forgive_v no._n 30._o the_o scope_n of_o all_o god_n deal_n with_o sinner_n in_o order_n to_o their_o recovery_n no._n 31._o immortality_n and_o a_o future_a life_n discoverable_a by_o reason_n what_o death_n be_v and_o its_o use_n since_o sin_n with_o argument_n for_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n no._n 32._o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n rational_o conclude_v no._n 33._o future_a judgement_n necessary_a no._n 34._o man_n capable_a of_o repentance_n and_o do_v his_o duty_n no._n 35._o the_o divers_a motive_n and_o argument_n god_n have_v give_v man_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o repent_v and_o what_o the_o compleat_a no._n 36._o revelation_n chief_o for_o enforce_v natural_a religion_n divers_a consideration_n about_o revelation_n miracle_n faith_n etc._n etc._n no._n 37._o of_o christ_n and_o his_o work_n no._n 38._o of_o his_o person_n no._n 39_o all_o that_o be_v save_v save_v the_o same_o way_n viz._n by_o christ_n no._n 40._o scripture_n a_o gift_n of_o god_n argue_v and_o the_o need_n of_o revelation_n no._n 41._o some_o thing_n teach_v in_o the_o world_n as_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bible_n not_o tend_v to_o the_o true_a end_n and_o scope_n of_o revelation_n no._n 42._o as_o mistake_v about_o reconciliation_n christ_n death_n and_o sacrifice_n propitiation_n etc._n etc._n no._n 43._o about_o satisfaction_n no._n 44._o mistake_v about_o punishment_n god_n not_o to_o be_v think_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o creature_n misery_n no._n 45._o mistake_v about_o imputation_n of_o sin_n and_o righteousness_n no._n 46._o mistake_v about_o merit_n no._n 47._o about_o redemption_n no._n 48._o about_o intercession_n no._n 49._o how_o the_o mediation_n of_o christ_n become_v â—â—fectual_a no._n 50._o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o fate_n or_o absolute_a predestâ—â—nation_n no._n 51._o a_o reflection_n on_o the_o present_a state_n of_o christiâ—â—nity_n 1._o there_o be_v two_o thing_n necessary_a for_o man_n in_o order_n to_o his_o attain_v the_o end_n of_o his_o be_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o to_o will_v well_o or_o in_o other_o word_n to_o be_v wise_a and_o good_n as_o for_o know_v the_o truth_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n wherein_o this_o necessary_a wisdom_n do_v 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at_o least_o can_v be_v do_v by_o he_o without_o the_o special_a and_o uncommon_a operation_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n or_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n such_o as_o we_o call_v a_o miracle_n when_o such_o effect_n accompany_v person_n assert_v themselves_o send_v of_o god_n to_o teach_v and_o exhort_v man_n thing_n in_o themselves_o show_v no_o repugnancy_n to_o truth_n there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o rational_a doubt_n of_o they_o or_o of_o the_o authority_n and_o divine_a mission_n of_o the_o person_n god_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o alter_v the_o common_a order_n of_o thing_n in_o his_o creature_n in_o concurrence_n to_o persuade_v a_o lie_n or_o to_o give_v his_o special_a testimony_n to_o any_o deceiver_n but_o yet_o here_o we_o have_v need_n use_v our_o reason_n and_o have_v some_o skill_n to_o judge_v of_o and_o distinguish_v a_o true_a miracle_n from_o a_o false_a one_o that_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o there_o have_v perhaps_o be_v more_o pretence_n to_o miracle_n or_o false_a and_o lie_a wonder_n than_o true_a one_o now_o that_o i_o may_v a_o little_a help_n those_o who_o have_v not_o so_o well_o consider_v this_o matter_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o a_o few_o more_o consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o miracle_n before_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v how_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v apply_v particular_o to_o the_o book_n common_o call_v the_o holy_a scripture_n a_o miracle_n negative_o be_v not_o a_o contradiction_n in_o nature_n or_o any_o thing_n that_o impli_v a_o contradiction_n absurdity_n or_o absolute_a impossibility_n as_o that_o a_o thing_n shall_v be_v make_v to_o be_v and_o not_o to_o be_v so_o and_o so_o and_o not_o so_o and_o so_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o which_o the_o understanding_n of_o man_n can_v no_o way_n apprehend_v but_o as_o absurd_a or_o impossible_a can_v neither_o be_v pretend_v as_o a_o miracle_n nor_o can_v it_o so_o be_v will_v it_o ever_o have_v the_o end_n of_o a_o miracle_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o a_o certain_a saint_n behead_v shall_v afterward_o carry_v his_o head_n in_o his_o mouth_n for_o some_o mile_n or_o that_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v in_o divers_a place_n at_o the_o same_o time_n nor_o can_v the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n be_v any_o pretence_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o such_o absurdies_n for_o thing_n or_o truth_n be_v the_o product_n and_o subject_n of_o divine_a power_n and_o not_o contradiction_n again_o a_o miracle_n be_v not_o a_o fallacy_n or_o deception_n of_o man_n sense_n or_o understanding_n for_o a_o deceit_n have_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o lie_n and_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o come_v from_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n nor_o be_v a_o miracle_n a_o thing_n do_v by_o the_o power_n or_o art_n of_o the_o man_n howsoever_o great_a or_o strange_a any_o man_n power_n or_o art_n may_v be_v to_o other_o that_o be_v weak_a or_o ignorant_a nor_o be_v a_o miracle_n any_o more_o in_o the_o will_n of_o man_n than_o in_o his_o power_n or_o skill_n the_o time_n or_o subject_n for_o a_o miracle_n be_v not_o determine_v by_o man_n vain_a will_n to_o satisfy_v curiosity_n or_o unnecessary_a desire_n but_o be_v general_o wrought_v upon_o serious_a and_o weighty_a occasion_n nor_o be_v god_n will_n so_o proper_o say_v to_o concur_v with_o man_n will_n when_o man_n will_v work_v a_o miracle_n as_o man_n will_n to_o concur_v with_o god_n will_n when_o god_n please_v and_o see_v fit_a to_o work_v one_o but_o a_o miracle_n be_v a_o extraordinary_a effect_n or_o alteration_n in_o nature_n wrought_v by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n above_o the_o power_n and_o art_n of_o man_n at_o least_o of_o he_o who_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o effect_v it_o in_o the_o way_n it_o be_v effect_v a_o thing_n do_v by_o the_o special_a and_o uncommon_a operation_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n the_o end_n of_o a_o miracle_n be_v the_o confirmation_n of_o some_o revelation_n or_o truth_n as_o from_o god_n to_o promote_v some_o considerable_a good_a no_o less_o than_o to_o persuade_v sinner_n to_o repent_v or_o will_v as_o god_n will_v or_o to_o confirm_v they_o that_o so_o do_v in_o their_o well-willing_a and_o wherever_o there_o be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o miracle_n that_o tend_v not_o to_o this_o end_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v suspect_v and_o will_v be_v find_v upon_o serious_a examination_n to_o be_v but_o a_o pretence_n and_o no_o real_a miracle_n but_o now_o to_o come_v a_o little_a near_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o we_o may_v be_v persuade_v that_o there_o have_v indeed_o be_v divine_a revelation_n and_o some_o person_n send_v to_o declare_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o other_o and_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o mission_n and_o of_o the_o thing_n declare_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n we_o need_v no_o more_o but_o serious_o read_v and_o consider_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o especial_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o read_n and_o consideration_n of_o which_o book_n if_o these_o two_o thing_n appear_v i_o think_v there_o be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o rational_a man_n in_o this_o matter_n first_o that_o the_o thing_n relate_v as_o teach_v persuade_v and_o do_v agree_v with_o the_o most_o rational_a and_o crittical_a account_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o miracle_n second_o that_o the_o history_n itself_o be_v undoubted_o true_a let_v we_o consider_v both_o these_o as_o brief_o as_o we_o can_v in_o the_o first_o place_n there_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o scripture_n the_o doctrinal_a or_o instructive_a part_n which_o teach_v for_o a_o foundation_n that_o there_o be_v one_o most_o high_a sufficient_a be_v or_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o author_n and_o continuer_n and_o consequent_o sovereign_a
needs_o all_o perish_v but_o they_o have_v not_o only_o be_v negligent_a in_o endeavour_v the_o information_n and_o reformation_n of_o all_o mankind_n but_o have_v be_v even_o stumbling-block_n not_o only_o by_o teach_v for_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n the_o unreasonable_a tradition_n of_o man_n but_o even_o by_o their_o wicked_a life_n and_o uncharitable_a action_n yet_o god_n have_v not_o leave_v himself_o without_o a_o witness_n in_o all_o nation_n but_o his_o goodness_n have_v be_v a_o argument_n to_o persuade_v to_o obedience_n some_o of_o those_o who_o have_v see_v the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o god_n from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v even_o his_o external_n power_n and_o godhead_n the_o light_n of_o reason_n have_v be_v universal_a to_o all_o mankind_n and_o those_o who_o have_v act_v according_a to_o that_o light_n where_o through_o the_o fault_n of_o other_o no_o more_o have_v be_v give_v doubtless_o no_v more_o 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